Do you consider yourself a foodie, a food lover, a gourmand, or a food connoisseur? If you fall into one of these categories, or if you just like to eat, then South Africa’s incredibly diverse food culture will make you joyous!
Unlike many countries, where food is generally systemic and disconnected from other culinary influences, South African food is an explosion of tastes and textures derived and blended from many different parts of the world. That is what defines our unique food landscape.
Imagine visiting South Africa, and you are invited to eat dishes derived from Dutch, Malay, French, Italian, Portuguese, Greek, German, Swiss, Asian, Arab and African cultures. There are so many styles of cuisines, food lovers will find themselves on a gastronomical adventure.
Of course, it is customary to try the most well-known fare inherent to the country, and these are the top favourites.
The quintessential food scene in South Africa must be the ‘braai’ or, as some countries refer to as a barbeque. As South Africans are known to be meat-eaters, they love nothing more than spending part of their social life standing around a fire and ‘braaiing’ meat such as lamb chops, steak, chicken, and boerewors. Summer days are defined by a braai, and the aroma of the whole affair is ingrained into every South Africans psyche. Usually, salads, vegetables wrapped in tinfoil are thrown on the coals, toasted cheese and tomato sandwiches, and wine and beer accompany this social and iconic meal. Many safari companies include this in their itineraries, and it is a highlight enjoyed under the African skies.
Potjiekos is a slow food style of cooking meat, seafood, and vegetables in a cast iron pot over the fire. The only recipe for potjiekos is your own imagination. Usually, it is served with bread baked in a potjie, rice or pap, which is the beloved staple food of millions of South Africans.
Curries served with tangy fruit chutneys are almost second nature to most South African kitchens, and we pride ourselves on this culinary connection to our Malay forefathers. Delicious arrays of Malay spices and herbs flavour meat and vegetables, and we consume curries regularly. Most famous are the Durban curries and the celebrated ‘Bunny Chow’, a popular street food created by the immigrant Indian community in Durban.
South Africans love to snack on biltong and droëwors, which is spiced dried meat and sausage. Their food history stems back hundreds of years to the indigenous people of South Africa and the pioneers who had to nourish themselves while trekking across the country. Biltong is made from beef, kudu, ostrich, springbok, and the dried fish variety is known as bokoms. It is an acquired taste, and the primary flavours are salt, coriander and chilli.
Not forgetting the sweet tooths, it is worth mentioning Milktart, Koeksisters and Malva Pudding, South African classics.
Food and wine lovers have a plethora of restaurants and wineries to choose from. Most wineries and breweries have award-winning restaurants set amidst vineyards nestled beneath scenic mountain ranges. South African wines are world-renowned, and the depths of flavours are a testimony to the fascinating and colourful history of our winemaking.
Here are the 20 most popular restaurants in South Africa.
